Hello, I am Gareth Jameson.
Hello, I am Gareth Jameson.

I am an actor and a voice coach from www.londonvoicelessons.
I am an actor and a voice coach from www.londonvoicelessons.

com.
com.

Here are some tips for working on your voice.
Here are some tips for working on your voice.

The key to any accent is to isolate sound that
The key to any accent is to isolate sound that

is specific to that accent.
is specific to that accent.

Now for me the most important one in an Irish accent is the "i" sound.
Now for me the most important one in an Irish accent is the "i" sound.

The "i" that we get in "like" or "height", or even at the beginning of the word Irish.
The "i" that we get in "like" or "height", or even at the beginning of the word Irish.

It becomes like an "oi", almost like the "oi" in oil.
It becomes like an "oi", almost like the "oi" in oil.

So that is why you sometimes hear people say "oirish" and "oireland".
So that is why you sometimes hear people say "oirish" and "oireland".

It is not quite "oi" really, it is slightly less than that, it is "oii".
It is not quite "oi" really, it is slightly less than that, it is "oii".

So that we have "I will be fine with all this oil", there is a difference "I will be fine
So that we have "I will be fine with all this oil", there is a difference "I will be fine

with all this oil, I will be fine".
with all this oil, I will be fine".

That introduces another feature as well, the "th", "I will be fine with all this oil".
That introduces another feature as well, the "th", "I will be fine with all this oil".

The "th" is usually removed from Irish speakers, especially with more casual speakers so that
The "th" is usually removed from Irish speakers, especially with more casual speakers so that

you get more d's and t's instead.
you get more d's and t's instead.

So have a listen to this.
So have a listen to this.

"What do you think of this, what do you think of this?"
"What do you think of this, what do you think of this?"

That is "think" and "this".
That is "think" and "this".

Our next feature is the letter "r".
Our next feature is the letter "r".

Now for most Irish speakers the "r" is always pronounced.
Now for most Irish speakers the "r" is always pronounced.

So, instead of saying words like "park", we will have "paark", with a "err".
So, instead of saying words like "park", we will have "paark", with a "err".

It is right at the front of the mouth, unless you are from Dublin where your right at the
It is right at the front of the mouth, unless you are from Dublin where your right at the

back of your mouth.
back of your mouth.

You are right at the front, "park" and "garden".
You are right at the front, "park" and "garden".

Right at the front like that.
Right at the front like that.

Now we move onto a "l" sound.
Now we move onto a "l" sound.

Now, for British English speakers we have two versions for the "l" sound.
Now, for British English speakers we have two versions for the "l" sound.

We have one at the back of the mouth, like in "kettle", "bottle" and "pull", and one
We have one at the back of the mouth, like in "kettle", "bottle" and "pull", and one

at the front in "lovely", "lemon" and "limned".
at the front in "lovely", "lemon" and "limned".

For an Irish speaker, they are all at the front.
For an Irish speaker, they are all at the front.

In fact, it is quite helpful I like to think of the whole accent coming from the front
In fact, it is quite helpful I like to think of the whole accent coming from the front

of the mouth.
of the mouth.

This phrase might help, "a little bubble at the front of your mouth, a little bubble at
This phrase might help, "a little bubble at the front of your mouth, a little bubble at

the front of your mouth".
the front of your mouth".

Finally, that introduces the "ou" sound in mouth.
Finally, that introduces the "ou" sound in mouth.

It becomes "ouw", like if starting on a "ou", if you start on "ou", "ouw", "mouth".
It becomes "ouw", like if starting on a "ou", if you start on "ou", "ouw", "mouth".

So try "how now brown cow, brown cow" with an "our" in it.
So try "how now brown cow, brown cow" with an "our" in it.

"How now brown cow, a little bubble at the front of your mouth".
"How now brown cow, a little bubble at the front of your mouth".

Now we have not got time for more features today.
Now we have not got time for more features today.

I am Gareth Jameson, thanks very much.
I am Gareth Jameson, thanks very much.